According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, “Experts have reported that knowledge about elder abuse lags as much as two decades behind the fields of child abuse and domestic violence.” Although knowledge may be lacking to an extent, what is known about elder abuse is that it comes in many forms and oftentimes has deadly implications. For instance, an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that elder who have experienced abuse, even modest abuse, had a 300% higher risk of death when compared to those who had not been abused.

While the severity of elder abuse cannot be understated, it is also important to understand the various forms in which elder abuse comes. Elder abuse includes, but is not limited to, physical, psychological, financial, social, hospitalizations and disability, and medical abuse. Your loved one residing in a South Carolina nursing home or assisted living facility may be victim of elder abuse if he or she exhibits any of the following signs or symptoms (non-exhaustive list):

Pressure and bed sores

Falls resulting in injuries, such as hip fractures or other broken bones

Dehydration and malnutrition

Emotional and psychological distress

Financial exploitation

Complaints of neglect or abuse.

Elder abuse is more common than we would like to believe. According to a 2015 comprehensive study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, elder abuse was prevalent in approximately 10% of the older adult population. Moreover, in South Carolina in 2015, eighteen percent (18%) of nursing homes received a severe deficiency for actual harm or jeopardy towards its residents.

At Hughey Law Firm, we have seen nursing home and assisted living abuse happen all too often. If you suspect your loved one has suffered an injury as a result of the neglect or abuse of a South Carolina long-term care facility, contact our firm to speak with an elder abuse attorney.